Fence

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fence including at least two uprights and a plurality of panels extending one above the other substantially horizontally between the uprights, the panels may be made from plastic containing material, the uprights containing a longitudinal recess receiving panel holding elements.

[0002] Fences are known in several variations. WO 2010/125391, WO 2007/140516 and DE 20 2004 019 223 U1 show examples thereof. In one embodiment, the upright may receive different type of panel holding elements or intermediate members to hold the panels in different positions.

[0003] DE 203 18 668 is related to a barrier comprising two vertical uprights with broad support feet. The uprights hold the ends of horizontal lamellae mounted one above the other, set at an angle or with their top and bottom edges touching. The lamellae are mounted on pins at their ends engaging with-drive mechanisms which can rotate the lamellae to allow the view to be glimpsed through the lamellae.

[0004] The present invention has as one of its objects to provide a fence which is modular and offers the user freedom to build a custom-made fence with standard modules.

[0005] According to one aspect, the holding elements are each adapted to hold and fix one or more panels in any of several angular positions.

[0006] By providing the holding elements with means to enable the panels to be positioned in different angular positions, the user is able to build the fence according to his/her own liking. Not only the panels between two adjacent uprights can be placed under different angles, also each section of panels between two uprights can be formed individually. So some of the panels between uprights can be placed vertically to form a closed wall, others could be placed under an angle with respect to the vertical so as to allow wind or light to pass through, but to hinder viewing through. Others could be placed horizontally, for example the ones near the ground or if viewing through is not a problem. Thus, the fence according to the invention is very flexible and user friendly. Generally, only one type of panel holding element is needed to hold the panels in different angular positions.

[0007] The panels and holding elements may for example include a pin-hole connection, the pins and holes might then have a fitting polygonal cross section. This is a very simple manner of allowing different angular positions of the panels. Octagonal cross sections may already provide sufficient different angular positions but more or less is possible of course.

[0008] The pins may be attached to the panels, and if the panels are extruded from plastic containing material, such as WPC (Wood Plastic Composite), each panel may have a longitudinal cavity therein adapted to receive a rod protruding from at least one and preferably from both ends of the panel to form said pins.

[0009] In this embodiment, the rod has a double function. It not only forms the mounting pins at the ends of the panels, but it is also able to function as a bending or warping resistant element for the panels, which assists in obtaining a high quality appearance of the fence.

[0010] In one embodiment, the rod is made from aluminium, which is preferably extruded. Such rod can be made both lightweight and rigid, especially if it is hollow and comprises at least one rib extending substantially perpendicularly to the main plane of the respective panel. This structure increases bending resistance considerably. If the panels are made by extrusion, the rod might be inserted into the panel if the panel is still warm, which facilitates insertion of the rod. If the rod and cavity are polygonal, the rod is automatically locked against rotation around its longitudinal axis. As an alternative, the rod may be made from plastic or from stainless steel.

[0011] In an alternative embodiment, each pin is part of an insert attached to one of the ends of the panels. Such embodiment can be used if there is no need for additional bending resistance in the panels.

[0012] The holding elements may each have a main body and a sleeve-like protrusion, the hole extending through the main body and the sleeve-like protrusion. In this way, the insertion length of the pin in the holding element can be increased without need for much additional material.

[0013] To increase stability of the fence, at least one of the panels, preferably the upper panel, is secured to the opposite uprights so as to resist pulling forces. This improves the coherence of the whole fence because the panels not only prevent the uprights from moving towards each other, but also from moving away from each other.

[0014] The invention also includes a kit for building a fence, comprising at least two uprights including a longitudinal recess, a plurality of panels extruded from plastic containing material and having two ends, each panel having a longitudinal cavity between the two ends and receiving therein a bending resistant rod protruding from both ends of the respective panel to form pins, and holding elements fitting into the longitudinal recess and each adapted to receive one of the pins of one of the panels.

[0015] Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained with reference to the drawings showing exemplary embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a part of a fence according the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of detail II in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a part of another fence showing possible angular orientations of the panels between the uprights.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective plan view of the fence of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective plan view of the upright as used in the fence of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a side view of a horizontally positioned panel and corresponding panel holding element as used in the fence of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective of a part of a rod as used in the panel of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a panel for use in the fence of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of an insert and pin for use in the panel of Fig. 8.

[0016] The drawings and in first instance Figs. 1 - 3 show a part of a fence or other boundary wall. The main parts of this fence are: at least two uprights 1 (only one is shown in the drawings) and a plurality of panels 2 extending one above the other substantially horizontally between the uprights 2. The uprights contain a longitudinal (so vertical in the upright position) recess 3 receiving panel holding elements 4 each being adapted to hold and fix one or more panels - in this case one panel 2 - in any of several angular positions. In Fig. 1, the upper three panels 2 are positioned with their main plane vertically, whereas the bottom three panels 2 are positioned at an angle to the vertical, in this case at 45°. Fig. 3 shows a fence having a larger number of panels 2, which in this case are oriented at various different angles.

[0017] Figs. 4 and 5 show the shape of the upright 1 in more detail. The upright as shown is extruded from aluminium or an aluminium alloy, although other materials and other production methods are conceivable of course. Opposite sides of the square upright 1 are provided with the recess 3. Other uprights 1 may have recesses 3 on two adjacent sides if an upright 1 is used in the corner of a fence, and also uprights with recesses 3 on four sides are possible. The upright may then be used universally for different situations in a single fence, or even at a crossing of several fences. The uprights 1 may also have other cross sections, so that the angle between the recesses (and therewith the plan view angle between the panel sections) is different from 90° or 180°. One or two perpendicular stiffening ribs may be provided in the interior of the uprights 1.

[0018] Each recess 3 includes an outer portion 5 having a dovetail-shaped cross section and an inner portion 6 having a rectangular cross section. The dovetail is such that panel holding elements 4 that have a fitting cross section is held within the recess 3 by the walls, in this case the inclined walls converging outwardly towards each other. The inner portion 6 of the recess 3 is provided to receive a sleeve-shaped protrusion 7 of the panel holding element 4. This sleeve-shaped protrusion 7 surrounds a hole 8 that also extends through the main body of the panel holding element 4. The panel holding element 4 can be made from injection moulded plastic, for example nylon, or from metal. The panel holding element 4 may also be constructed without sleeve-shaped protrusion 7.

[0019] Fig. 6 and 7 show that hole 8 in panel holding element 4 (Fig. 6) is provided to receive a pin 9 at each end of each panel 2. In this embodiment, the pins 9 on both ends of the panel 2 are part of an aluminium hollow rod 10 (Fig. 7) extending through the whole panel 2 and projection from opposite ends. For this purpose, each panel 2, which is made by extrusion from WPC, comprises a cavity 11 extending the whole length of the panel. The panel 2 includes more longitudinal cavities 12, so that the weight of the panels 2 can be kept low, while the hollow rod 10 affords additional bending strength to the panel 2. For this purpose, the extruded rod 10 comprises a stiffening bridge or rib 10' extending perpendicularly to the main plane of the panel 2 to be most effective in preventing bending or warping of the panel 2. The rod 10 may also comprise two perpendicular ribs or no ribs.

[0020] The pins 9 fit into the holes 8, such that the pins may be positioned in the holes 8 in different angular positions, in this case eight positions as the outer surface of the pins and the inner surface of the holes 8 are octagonal. The cross sections of the pins 9 and holes 8 do not have to be equal, as long as the pins 9 fit into the holes. The pins 9 may thus also have for example a star-shaped cross section, points of the star fitting in the corners of the polygonal hole 8. The panel holding elements 4 may also be constructed without sleeve-shaped protrusion 7, which allows a bit more movement of the pins 9 in the holes 8 when the panels 2 deform under wind load.

[0021] As mentioned, the panels 2 can be made of a (partly) recycled material, such as WPC. This WPC may for example include 65% natural wood or bamboo fiber, such as from recycled wood or other natural sources, 25% polymer, such as polypropylene, and 10% of additives like colourings, UV protectors, antifouling agent and the like. When the hollow panels are made by extrusion, the walls thereof (inner and/or outer) are preferably of similar thickness to obtain uniform solidification thereby prevention deformation of the panel due to internal stresses. The rod 10 is preferably inserted into the cavity 11 of the panel 2 when it is not yet cooled after extrusion, so that the rod can easily be inserted. Some movement between the rod 10 and the panel 2 remains possible so that the panel 2 can thermally expand with respect to the rod 10.

[0022] The panels may for example be 1500 mm long, 100 mm wide and 15 mm thick with a wall thickness of 4 mm. The pins may project 25 mm from the panels. The uprights may be 2750 mm long, of which the bottom 750 mm are intended to be buried in the ground. All kinds of variations in dimensions, materials and shapes are conceivable. Normally, the panels will have a woody appearance, and may have a completely rectangular cross section, or with bevelled edges. However, one or more panels in a section may, for example, be made from transparent material, such as plastic or glass. The panels may also consist of a frame (for example of aluminium) filled with gauzy material, glass or other ornamental designs. There may also be provided strips between the panels to decorate the fence. The strips may be made from aluminium, stainless steel, transparent or non-transparent plastic etc. and have a height of for example 5 - 20 mm.

[0023] The fence may be built from the kit parts as follows. First, the uprights 1 are driven into the soil. Generally the spacing between the uprights will be slightly larger (a few mm's) than the length of the panels 2 in order to have some play for the panels to extend under thermal influences. Stops will be inserted into the recesses 3 in the uprights 1 and will be fixed (by a screw or the like) in the required position, so that the panel holding elements 4 will come to rest in the recesses 3 in the uprights 1 at the desired height. Two panel holding elements 4 will be attached to one of the panels 2 in the desired angular position and then the panel holding elements 4 will be lowered into the respective recesses 3. This is repeated for all panels 2 until the uprights 1 are filled with panel holding elements 4. The pins 9 of the upper panel 2 may be fixed to the respective panel holding elements 4 to prevent their removal. This will set the spacing between the upper ends of the adjacent uprights 1, as the upper panel 2 will resist tension forces exerted by the uprights 1. This will be especially the case if the pins 9 are part of the continuous rod 10. Generally, a cover will be placed and fixed on top of the uprights 1 to finish the look thereof and to prevent removal of the panel holding elements 4. Further uprights 1 can be positioned on one or both sides of the uprights already placed and panels can be placed in the desired angular position until the fence is complete.

[0024] Fig. 8 and 9 show a variation of the panel 2 and pins 9. In this case the pins 9 are part of an insert 13, generally made of plastic, for example injection moulded nylon. The insert 13 can be positioned in one of the cavities 12. The panels 2 in this embodiment have three such longitudinal rectangular cavities 12, and the insert 12 will normally be inserted into the middle cavity 12. The inserts 13 can have a strong fit within the cavity 12, or can be fixed by glue or the like. The inserts only extend along a small part of the length of the panel 2, just sufficient to obtain a stable attachment to the panel 2. The pin 9 can be solid or can be sleeve-shaped, as shown. Insertion of the pins 9 into the panel holding elements 4 is similar to that of the former embodiment.

[0025] Combinations are the two embodiments are possible. The last embodiment may be combined with the first one, so that the inserts 13 are adapted to be inserted into cavity 11. A rod of aluminium or other material may still be positioned within the cavity 11 and extend only in a central part (for example 90 cm) or along substantially the complete length. In the second embodiment, an aluminium rod can have the cross section of one of the cavities 12 and be inserted therein.

[0026] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings which may be varied in different manners within the scope of the appended claims. For example, it is possible to form the pins on the panel holding elements which are inserted in the desired angular position into cavities of the panels during assembly of the fence. The panel holding elements and panels will generally be designed to obtain at least three different angular positions of the panels, but four, six, eight, twelve etc. positions are possible as well. In stead of discrete angular positions, it is in principle also possible to have a system of continuous individual variation of the angular positions of the various panels with a locking member, for example a locking screw locking a round pin in a round hole, to lock the panel in the desired position, but normally such continuous variation will not be required. Panel holding elements may be combined to obtain one or a few panel holding elements for all panels attached to one side of the upright. If individual panel holding elements are used, the height thereof may be different (smaller) to obtain an overlap of panels if they are positioned at an angle different from vertical.

Claims

1. Fence including at least two uprights (1) and a plurality of panels (2) extending one above the other substantially horizontally between the uprights (1), the uprights (1) containing a longitudinal recess (3) receiving panel holding elements (4), characterized in that each holding element (4) is adapted to hold and fix one or more panels (2) in any of several angular positions.

2. Fence according to claim 1, wherein the panels (2) and holding elements (4) include a pin-hole connection.

3. Fence according to claim 2, wherein the pins (9) and holes (8) have a fitting polygonal cross section.

4. Fence according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the pins (9) are attached to the panels (2).

5. Fence according to claim 4, wherein the panels (2) being extruded from plastic containing material, such as WPC, each panel (2) may have a longitudinal cavity (11) therein adapted to receive a rod (10) protruding from at least one and preferably from both ends of the panel to form said pins (9).

6. Fence according to claim 5, wherein the rod (10) is made from aluminium, which is preferably extruded.

7. Fence according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the rod (10) is hollow and comprises at least one rib (10') extending substantially perpendicularly to the main plane of the respective panel (2).

8. Fence according to claim 4, wherein each pin (9) is part of an insert (13) attached to one of the ends of the panels (2).

9. Fence according to one claims 4 - 8, wherein the holding elements (4) each have a main body and a sleeve-like protrusion (7), the hole (8) extending through the main body and the sleeve-like protrusion (7).

10. Fence according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the panels (2), preferably the upper panel, is secured to the opposite uprights (1) so as to resist pulling forces.

11. Kit for building a fence, comprising at least two uprights (1) including a longitudinal recess (3), a plurality of panels (2) having two ends from which pins (9) protrude, and holding elements (4) fitting into the longitudinal recess (3) and each adapted to receive one of the pins (9) of one of the panels (2), characterized in that the panels (2) are extruded from plastic containing material, where-in each panel (2) has a longitudinal cavity (11) between the two ends in which a bending resistant rod (10) is received, which rod (10) protrudes from both ends of the respective panel (2) to form said pins (9).

Ansprüche

1. Zaun mit wenigstens zwei Pfosten (1) und einer Mehrzahl von Paneelen (2), die sich übereinander im Wesentlichen horizontal zwischen den Pfosten (1) erstrecken, wobei die Pfosten (1) eine longitudinale Ausnehmung (3) enthalten, die Paneel-Halteelemente (4) aufnimmt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jedes Halteelement (4) angepasst ist, um eines oder mehrere Paneele (2) in einer beliebigen von mehreren Winkelpositionen zu halten und zu fixieren.

2. Zaun gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die Paneele (2) und die Halteelemente (4) eine Stift-Loch-Verbindung aufweisen.

3. Zaun gemäß Anspruch 2, wobei die Stifte (9) und die Löcher (8) einen zusammenpassenden Polygonal-Querschnitt haben.

4. Zaun gemäß Anspruch 2 oder 3, wobei die Stifte (9) an den Paneelen (2) angebracht sind.

5. Zaun gemäß Anspruch 4, wobei die Paneele (2) aus einem Kunststoff enthaltenden Material, wie zum Beispiel WPC, extrudiert sind, wobei jedes Paneel (2) eine longitudinale Kavität (11) darin haben kann, die angepasst ist, um eine Stange (10) aufzunehmen, die von wenigstens einem und bevorzugt von beiden Enden des Paneels aus vorsteht, um die Stifte (9) zu bilden.

6. Zaun gemäß Anspruch 5, wobei die Stange (10) aus Aluminium gemacht ist, welches bevorzugt extrudiert ist.

7. Zaun gemäß Anspruch 5 oder 6, wobei die Stange (10) hohl ist und wenigstens eine Rippe (10') aufweist, die sich im Wesentlichen senkrecht zu der Hauptebene des jeweiligen Paneels (2) erstreckt.

8. Zaun gemäß Anspruch 4, wobei jeder Stift (9) Teil eines Einsatzes (13) ist, der an einem der beiden Enden der Paneele (2) angebracht ist.

9. Zaun gemäß einem der Ansprüche 4-8, wobei die Halteelemente (4) jeweils einen Hauptkörper und einen hülsenartigen Vorsprung (7) haben, wobei das Loch (8) sich durch den Hauptkörper und den hülsenartigen Vorsprung (7) hindurch erstreckt.

10. Zaun gemäß irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei wenigstens eines der Paneele (2), bevorzugt das obere Paneel, an den gegenüberliegenden Pfosten (1) derart befestigt ist, um Zugkräften zu widerstehen.

11. Kit zum Bauen eines Zauns, aufweisend wenigstens zwei Pfosten (1) mit einer longitudinalen Ausnehmung (3), eine Mehrzahl von Paneelen (2), welche zwei Enden haben, von welchen aus Stifte (9) vorstehen, und Halteelemente (4), die in die longitudinalen Ausnehmungen (3) passen und die jeweils angepasst sind, um einen der Stifte (9) von einem der Paneele (2) aufzunehmen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Paneele (2) aus einem Kunststoff enthaltenden Material extrudiert sind, wobei jedes Paneel (2) eine longitudinale Kavität (11) zwischen den beiden Enden hat, in welcher eine biegesteife Stange (10) aufgenommen ist, welche Stange (10) von beiden Enden des jeweiligen Paneels (2) aus vorsteht, um die Stifte (9) zu bilden.

Revendications

1. Clôture comprenant au moins deux montants (1) et une pluralité de panneaux (2) s'étendant l'un au-dessus de l'autre sensiblement horizontalement entre les montants (1), les montants (1) contenant un évidement longitudinal (3) recevant des éléments de maintien de panneau (4), caractérisée en ce que chaque élément de maintien (4) est adapté pour maintenir et fixer un ou plusieurs panneaux (2) dans l'une quelconque de plusieurs positions angulaires.

2. Clôture selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle les panneaux (2) et les éléments de maintien (4) comprennent un raccordement à goupille-trou.

3. Clôture selon la revendication 2, dans laquelle les goupilles (9) et les trous (8) ont une section transversale polygonale de montage.

4. Clôture selon la revendication 2 ou 3, dans laquelle les goupilles (9) sont fixées aux panneaux (2).

5. Clôture selon la revendication 4, dans laquelle les panneaux (2) étant extrudés à partir de matériau contenant du plastique, tel que le WPC, chaque panneau (2) peut avoir une cavité longitudinale (11) à l'intérieur de ce dernier, adaptée pour recevoir une tige (10) faisant saillie d'au moins une et de préférence des deux extrémités du panneau afin de former lesdites goupilles (9).

6. Clôture selon la revendication 5, dans laquelle la tige (10) est réalisée à partir d'aluminium, qui est de préférence extrudé.

7. Clôture selon la revendication 5 ou 6, dans laquelle la tige (10) est creuse et comprend au moins une nervure (10') s'étendant sensiblement perpendiculairement au plan principal du panneau (2) respectif.

8. Clôture selon la revendication 4, dans laquelle chaque goupille (9) fait partie d'un insert (13) fixé à l'une des extrémités des panneaux (2).

9. Clôture selon l'une quelconque des revendications 4 à 8, dans laquelle les éléments de maintien (4) ont chacun un corps principal et une saillie en forme de manchon (7), le trou (8) s'étendant à travers le corps principal et la saillie en forme de manchon (7).

10. Clôture selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle au moins l'un des panneaux (2), de préférence le panneau supérieur, est fixé sur les montants opposés (1) afin de résister aux forces de traction.

11. Kit pour construire une clôture comprenant au moins deux montants (1) comprenant un évidement longitudinal (3), une pluralité de panneaux (2) ayant deux extrémités desquelles des goupilles (9) font saillie, et des éléments de maintien (4) se montant dans l'évidement longitudinal (3) et chacun étant adapté pour recevoir l'une des goupilles (9) de l'un des panneaux (2), caractérisé en ce que les panneaux (2) sont extrudés à partir de matériau contenant du plastique, dans lequel chaque panneau (2) a une cavité longitudinale (11) entre les deux extrémités dans lesquelles une tige résistante à la flexion (10) est reçue, laquelle tige (10) fait saillie des deux extrémités du panneau (2) respectif afin de former lesdites goupilles (9).

Drawing